Oulanka National Park Trails

Two hikers stand high on a rocky plateau and look at the river valley.

You can explore the gorgeous national landscape of the Oulanka National Park on foot, by canoe, by bike, on skis or by snowshoes. The national park offers excellent hiking opportunities, ranging from short day-trip trails to the 82-km-long Karhunkierros Trail, which is one of the most popular hiking trails in Finland.

Choose the trail that suits you best and hike to the gushing rapids, the beautiful flood meadows, the winter forests and the rugged landscape. Discover your own Oulanka!

Easy Trails

Könkään kuohu Trail, 100 m / Direction, Accessible to All

Available when the ground is unfrozen. Travel time 15 min.
Category: Easy trail easy, easy, accessible trail / wheelchair trail accessible trail / wheelchair trail
Starting point: The parking area for the Könkään kuohu Trail
Description of the Könkään kuohu Trail

Napapiirin nopia Trail, 500 m / Direction

Available when the ground is unfrozen. Travel time 0.5‒1 h.
Category: Easy trail easy, easy, accessible trail / wheelchair trail accessible trail / wheelchair trail
Starting point: The starting point for the Karhunkierros Trail at Hautajärvi. The trail is part of Karhunkierros.
Description of the Napapiirin nopia trail

Kiutaköngäs Trail, 1 km / Direction

Available all year round. Travel time 1 h.
Category: Easy trail easy
Starting point: Oulanka Visitor Centre's parking area
Description of the Kiutaköngäs Trail

Other Hiking Trails, under 10 km

Hiiden hurmos Trail, 5 km, Circle Trail

Available all year round: it is a hiking trail in summer and a snowshoe trail in winter. Travel time 2‒3 h
Category: Intermediate trail intermediate
Starting point: Oulanka Visitor Centre
Description of the Hiiden hurmos Trail

Rytikönkään reissu trail, 5‒7 km, Circle Trail

Available in summer as a hiking trail. Travel time 2 h.
Category: Easy trail easy
Starting point: The parking area of the Oulanka National Park Camping Ground
Description of the Rytikönkään reissu Trail

Kanjonin kurkkaus Trail, 6 km, Circle Trail

Available when the ground is unfrozen. Travel time 2‒3 h.
Category: Intermediate trail intermediate
Starting point: The Savilampi parking area at the end of a forest road that branches off from Teeriahontie Road
Description of the Kanjonin kurkkaus Trail

Könkään keino Trail, 8 km, Circle Trail

Available when the ground is unfrozen. Travel time 3‒4 h.
Category: Easy trail easy Intermediate trail intermediate
Starting point: Oulanka Visitor Centre
Description of the Könkään keino Trail

Other Hiking Trails, over 10 km

Pieni Karhunkierros Trail, 12 km, Circle Trail

Available all year round. Travel time 4‒6 h.
Category: Intermediate trail intermediate
Starting point: Village of Juuma, Retkietappi holiday village
Description of The Pieni Karhunkierros

Keroharjun kuiskaus Trail, 17 km / Direction

Available when the ground is unfrozen. Travel time one day.
Category: Intermediate trail intermediate
Starting and ending points: Harjulammentie Road at Liikasenvaara and Niitselyksentie Road at Hautajärvi. The River Niitselysjoki is crossed by using a cable boat.
Description of the Keroharjun kuiskaus Trail

Karhunkierros Trail, 82 km / Direction

Available when the ground is unfrozen. Travel time 4 days.
Category: intermediate
Starting point: Several starting points
Trail description: The Karhunkierros Trail webpages

Canoeing Routes

Kiutaköngäs Pool of Quiet Waters – Jäkälämutka, 25 km

Available in June‒October, in the period of unfrozen waters. Travel time 2‒4 h. Suitable for beginners and families with children.
Category: Easy trail easy
Starting point: The parking area for the Könkään kuohu Trail, in the central part of the park, along Liikasenvaarantie Road
Trail description: Canoeing Route Kiutaköngäs Pool of Quiet Waters – Jäkälämutka

Savilampi – Oulanka Visitor Centre, 13 km

Available in June‒October, during the period of unfrozen waters. Travel time 2‒4 h. Suitable for experienced canoeists.
Category: Intermediate trail intermediate Demanding trail demanding
Rapids scale: I‒IV
Starting point: The Savilampi parking area, on the border of Salla and Kuusamo, at the end of a forest road.
Trail description: Canoeing Route Savilampi ‒ Oulanka Visitor Centre

Biking Trails

Oulanka Visitor Centre - Taivalköngäs, 9 km / Direction

Available when the ground is unfrozen. Travel time 3‒4 h.
Category: Demanding trail demanding
Starting point: Oulanka Visitor Centre
Trail description: Oulanka Visitor Centre ‒ Taivalköngäs

Oulanka Wilderness Trail: Oulanka Visitor Centre ‒ Juuma, 26 km / Direction - Closed

Closed for winter season 2020. Available from mid-February to April. Travel time 4 h ‒ one day.
Category: Demanding trail demanding
Starting point: Oulanka Visitor Centre or Juuma
Trail description: Oulanka Wilderness Trail

Skiing Trails

Oulanka Wilderness Trail, 26 km / Direction - Closed

Closed for winter season 2020. In late winter. Travel time 1‒2 days.
Category: Demanding trail demanding
Starting point: Oulanka Visitor Centre or Juuma
Description of the Oulanka Wilderness Trail

Snowshoe Trails

Hiiden hurmos Trail, 5 km / Circle Trail

This trail is a hiking trail in summer and a snowshoe trail in winter. Travel time 2‒3 h.
Category: Intermediate trail intermediate
Starting point: Oulanka Visitor Centre
Description of the Hiiden hurmos Trail

Pieni Karhunkierros Trail, 12 km / Circle Trail

In winter. Travel time 4‒6 h.
Category: Intermediate trail intermediate
Starting point: Village of Juuma, Retkietappi holiday village
Description of The Pieni Karhunkierros trail and the webpages

Oulanka Wilderness Trail, 26 km / Direction - Closed

Closed for winter season 2020. Available from mid-February to April. Travel time 1‒2 days.
Category: Demanding trail demanding
Starting point: Oulanka Visitor Centre or Juuma
Description of the Oulanka Wilderness Trail, also suitable for fatbiking

Other Hiking Trails close to Oulanka and Ruka

Check for Warnings

When forest and grass fire warnings (en.ilmatieteenlaitos.fi) are in effect, fire is only allowed at covered campfire sites that have a flue. A fire can be also lit in fireplaces at wilderness and other huts. Always use extreme caution when handling fire. The one who lights a fire is always responsible for its safe use. Please note, that making fire at these campfire sites can be banned locally.

Gathering at the campfire sites increases the risk of coronavirus infection. Guidelines concerning coronavirus COVID-19.

Oulanka Brochure

Pdf-file 5.1 Mb (julkaisut.metsa.fi)

Брошюра НП «ОУЛАНКА»

Pdf-файл, 8,8 Mб

Dogs must be kept on a leash! (pdf 105 Kb, finlex.fi)